How to start seeds indoors

4/3/2019

The promise of spring is in the air! I have tiny arugula, spinach, and lettuce seedlings coming up in the greenhouse and the snow is slowly melting off my annual garden beds. We've been pruning our trees in the food forest and I'll be tackling the berry bushes by the end of the week. I love this renewed sense of hope and possibility as we emerge from a long and cold winter.

If you watched my Planting Calendar video a few weeks ago then you'll know that now is the time to start planting seeds indoors. In cold climates, we need to get a jumpstart on the season. We do this by starting some of our crops indoors so that they get to be big enough before moving them to our gardens outside.

Starting seeds indoors can save you a lot of money in the long run as one packet of seeds can yield dozens of seedlings. Plus, you get to grow the varieties that you would like, rather than choosing from what the nursery has to offer. It's also rather nourishing to nurture and care for these beautiful green seedlings while it's still brown and snowy outside.

If you're excited about the prospect of a little indoor gardening then you'll want to check out my video today. In it, I go through the materials you'll need to start seeds indoors as well as the process that I use. So click on the video below to learn more!

6 Comments

Laura Swift

4/16/2019 08:01:53 am

Hi Kareen,

Your videos and related info is so helpful!! Thank you!! Any chance you have put together a companion planting guide. I realize some people do not follow that practice nor do some rotate their annuals. For me, I like to do both.

Take care,
Laura

Kareen

4/17/2019 02:18:20 pm

Hi Laura! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Unfortunately, I don't have a companion planting guide. I adhere to some companion planting but mostly, I focus on diversity in my garden as a way to combat pests and cut down on disease. You can see two of my videos here that speak to this, if you haven't seen them already.

https://www.brokengroundpermaculture.com/blog/attracting-pollinators-to-your-garden

https://www.brokengroundpermaculture.com/blog/pest-and-weed-management-strategies

I will sometimes use this quick guide here: http://survivalgardener.com/2014/12/what-is-companion-planting/

I find I use these guides more to understand what veggies I shouldn't grow together rather than the ones that I should. I think the best takeaway is diversity within and between your beds (i.e. combining veggies, herbs and flowers) to ensure the most success in your garden. Let me know if you have any follow-up questions!

Bre

2/29/2020 09:08:25 am

Love this video! Super helpful, Kareen! Do you leave your light on 24/7 when they get to that stage?

Thanks!

2/29/2020 01:02:53 pm

I usually turn the lights off at night and then turn them back for the day so they typically have at least 12-15 hours of light/day. However, I will often leave them on for longer if I feel like I'm a little behind with my seed starting. Hope that helps!

Mary

9/8/2020 09:18:09 am

Kareen, the planting calendar is very helpful! Do oregano, chives and thyme not overwinter well in the valley? I plan on setting up a raised garden this fall.

Thank you!

9/8/2020 10:33:52 am

I'm glad you've found the planting calendar useful. Oregano, chives and thyme all overwinter in the valley and are perennial. It's just harder to start these from seed as they take awhile to grow. That's why it's easier to buy a seedling from a local grower and plant them that way. If you do want to start them from seed, just start them early enough indoors so that they are fairly robust once you plant them outside. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions!

Blog

How to start seeds indoors

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Archives